ST. PAUL, Minn.—Today, bright hearts and welcoming messages for refugees fill the windows and storefronts at the corner of University and Raymond Avenues in St. Paul, and photos and supportive posts permeate social media platforms as #Hearts4Refugees celebrates refugees. Initiated by the Minnesota-based Center for Victims of TortureTM (CVT), the third annual #Hearts4Refugees initiative publicly supports Minnesota’s refugee communities and shows support for refugees around the world.

“As harmful and downright false narratives about refugees continue to be spread, it is more important than ever that CVT holds this annual and very public show of support for our refugee colleagues, friends and families. As a Minnesota-based, international NGO serving refugee torture survivors for more than 33 years, it is our duty and our privilege to speak out and stand up for refugees,” said Curt Goering, CVT’s executive director. “We are deeply moved that our neighbors here in St. Paul and our allies around the world stand with us today by showing their support for Hearts for Refugees.”

“Connecting people in need to an organization like the Center for Victims of Torture demonstrates how essential transit is,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Nora Slawik. “The ride on the Green Line to their Healing Center is often an important step in a long journey away from oppression. Transit connects us to the world.”

CVT is joined in the #Hearts4Refugees initiative by fellow tenants of the Specialty Building at 2356 University Ave. W. and by neighboring businesses near the corner of University and Raymond Avenues. Allied organizations and individuals are invited to share their #Hearts4Refugees messages and images online at Twitter, Instagram and Facebook on February 14.